Russian stem cells are cutting a window to Europe

The Human Stem Cell Institute (HSCI) has signed an agreement to purchase a blocking stake in the German biotech company Symbiotec, which holds international patents related to histone H1 and the treatment of blood cancer.

One of the activities of Symbiotec is the commercialization of the drug Oncohist, developed on the basis of recombinant histone H1, a nuclear protein necessary for the assembly and packaging of DNA strands into chromosomes.

The drug has already passed the first stage of clinical trials in Europe, which proved its safety, as well as indirectly confirming the effectiveness of this drug in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia – a rapidly developing, deadly disease in which the replacement of bone marrow with tumor cells disrupts the hematopoietic function. As a result, an uncontrolled accumulation of immature white blood cells occurs in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and various internal organs and a shortage of all shaped blood elements – erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets develops.

The General Director of the ISKCH A.A.Isaev: "We consider the direction related to the treatment of blood cancer to be very promising for us, and it is important for us to cooperate with the successful research team of the laboratory in Germany. This company is the base for entering the European market."

ISKCH was founded in 2003 as an organization designed to promote the development and practical dissemination of the latest cellular technologies in Russia. The Laboratory of Cellular Technologies, established on the basis of the HSCC, develops and patents new technologies and methods in the field of cell transplantology and genetic engineering. ISKCH also publishes the scientific journal "Cell Transplantology and Tissue Engineering". The Gemabank, a bank of human stem cells, works as part of the HSCC.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru according to the materials of the press service of the ISC

13.11.2008